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Theatrical happiness is a Hamlet called Tennant
Danny Brierley04.12.08
David Tennant's Hamlet was today heralded as one of the finest performances of its kind by the audience after its opening night in London.
People travelled from across Britain to see the Doctor Who actor as the tortured prince of Denmark, and he did not disappoint.
The sets, direction, costumes and Patrick Stewart's Claudius were also praised but it was Tennant's performance in the lead role at the Novello Theatre that caused most excitement.
Some of last night's audience had returned to watch the Scottish actor's Hamlet for the second time, having seen his portrayal in Stratford-upon-Avon.
One theatregoer claimed to have seen the production four times already. David McGurkin, a 20-year-old drama student from Leicester, said: "It was the fourth time I have seen this production and I have to say that the first night in London was definitely the best.
"The entire cast was terrific and the staging was very inventive. The use of light on stage and the way they played around with it was breathtaking."
Christy Wilkeson, a 20-year-old student from University College London, said: "It was the second time I saw David Tennant in the role after watching him in Stratford.
"He is obviously a big draw because he is superb. But I love Hamlet and you cannot discount Patrick Stewart who was also very good."
Rachel Wood, 35, from Reading, said: "The whole thing was excellent. All of the cast performed well. I was quite shocked at the amount of humour in it, you expect Hamlet to be quite miserable."
The audience included several groups of schoolchildren, including the English class of Cambridge teacher Frank Danes.
He said: "It was terrific, superb. David Tennant was brilliant, very funny and with lots of energy.
"It was like how I would expect Hamlet to be played a couple of hundred years ago.
"It is an ensemble production - there are lots of good actors including Patrick Stewart."
But not everyone was as euphoric about Tennant's performance.
Frances Quesnel, an artist from Hackney, said: "I was a bit disappointed. I wish he would use his Scottish accent. It didn't ring very well, but it was a good production and the grave digger, played by Mark Hadfield, was terrific."
Fears over counterfeit tickets were allayed as no one turned up with a forgery.
Those who had bought tickets through the theatre were sent letters as a proof of purchase.
